U.S. patent application number 12/707176 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-18 for power module for information handling system and methods thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dell Products, LP. Invention is credited to Joseph Clegg, Mohammed Hijazi, Andrew T. Sultenfuss, Merle Wood.
Application Number | 20110202777 12/707176 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44370466 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110202777 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hijazi; Mohammed ; et
al. |
August 18, 2011 |
Power Module for Information Handling System and Methods
Thereof
Abstract
An information handling system can receive power from a wireless
or wired power source. In response to determining the information
handling system is coupled to the wired power source, the system
decouples the wireless power source from providing power. In
response to the system being decoupled from the wired power source,
the information handling system couples the wireless power source
to the system.
Inventors: |
Hijazi; Mohammed; (Austin,
TX) ; Sultenfuss; Andrew T.; (Leander, TX) ;
Clegg; Joseph; (Round Rock, TX) ; Wood; Merle;
(Hutto, TX) |
Assignee: |
Dell Products, LP
Round Rock
TX
|
Family ID: |
44370466 |
Appl. No.: |
12/707176 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
713/300 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/263 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
713/300 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/00 20060101
G06F001/00 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: receiving power wirelessly at a first
power module of an information handling system; providing power
from the first power module to a second module of the information
handling system; and in response to determining that the
information handling system is receiving power from a wired power
source, decoupling the first power module from the second
module.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second module comprises a
battery charging module of the information handling system.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second module comprises a
processor device of the information handling system.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: in response to
determining the information handling system is not receiving power
from the wired power source, coupling the first power module to the
second module.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: coupling the first
power module to the second module in response to determining the
relative state of charge of a battery of an information handling
system is below a threshold.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein providing power from the first
power module to the second module comprises coupling the first
power module to the second module based on the state of a
mechanical switch.
7. A method, comprising: determining at an information handling
system which of a plurality of power sources are available to
provide power to the information handling system, the plurality of
power sources comprising a wired power source and a wireless power
source; selecting a first power source of the plurality of power
sources based on a corresponding efficiency for each of the
plurality of power sources; and coupling the first power source to
a module of the information handling system in response to
selecting the first power source.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein selecting the first power source
comprises selecting the wired power source when both the wireless
power source and the wired power source are available to provide
power to the information handling system.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: coupling the wireless
power source to the module in response to determining the wired
power source has been disconnected from the information handling
system.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the module comprises a battery
charger of the information handling system.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the module comprises a processor
device of the information handling system.
12. The method of claim 7, wherein selecting the first power source
comprises selecting the wireless power source when both the
wireless power source and the wired power source are available to
provide power to the information handling system.
13. The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of power sources
comprises a battery.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising coupling the battery
to the module in response to determining a relative state of charge
of the battery is above a first threshold.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the wireless power
source to the module in response to determining the relative state
of charge of the battery is below a second threshold.
16. An information handling system comprising: a wireless power
module operable to receive power wirelessly; a wired power module
operable to receive power from a wired power source; a power switch
coupled to the wireless power module and to the wired power module;
a system module coupled to the power switch; and a control module
coupled to the power switch, the control module operable to control
the power switch to couple the wireless power module to the system
module in response to determining that the wired power module is
not receiving power from the wired power source.
17. The information handling system of claim 16, wherein the
control module is operable to decouple the wireless power module
from the system module and couple the wired power module to the
system module in response to determining the wired power module is
receiving power from the wired power source.
18. The information handling system of claim 16, further
comprising: a battery; the control module is operable to decouple
the wireless power module from the system module in response to
determining a charge of the battery is above a first threshold.
19. The information handling system of claim 18, wherein the
control module is operable to couple the wireless power module to
the system module in response to determining a charge of the
battery is below a second threshold.
20. The information handling system of claim 16, wherein the
control module is operable to determine the wireless power module
is available to supply power based on the state of a mechanical
switch.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to information handling
systems, and more particularly to power modules for information
handling systems.
BACKGROUND
[0002] As the value and use of information continues to increase,
individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and
store information. One option is an information handling system. An
information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores,
and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or
other purposes. Because technology and information handling needs
and requirements can vary between different applications,
information handling systems can also vary regarding what
information is handled, how the information is handled, how much
information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly
and efficiently the information can be processed, stored, or
communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow
for information handling systems to be general or configured for a
specific user or specific use such as financial transaction
processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or
global communications. In addition, information handling systems
can include a variety of hardware and software components that can
be configured to process, store, and communicate information and
can include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and
networking systems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of
illustration, elements illustrated in the Figures have not
necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of
some of the elements are exaggerated relative to other elements.
Embodiments incorporating teachings of the present disclosure are
shown and described with respect to the drawings presented herein,
in which:
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless power
system for an information handling system according to one aspect
of the present disclosure.
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the information
handling system of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of selecting a
power source for an information handling system in accordance with
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of selecting a
power source for an information handling system in accordance with
another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0008] The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings
indicates similar or identical items.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] The following description in combination with the Figures is
provided to assist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein.
The following discussion will focus on specific implementations and
embodiments of the teachings. This focus is provided to assist in
describing the teachings and should not be interpreted as a
limitation on the scope or applicability of the teachings. However,
other teachings can certainly be utilized in this application. The
teachings can also be utilized in other applications and with
several different types of architectures such as distributed
computing architectures, client/server architectures, or middleware
server architectures and associated components.
[0010] For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling
system can include any instrumentality or aggregate of
instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit,
receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest,
detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of
information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific,
control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an
information handling system can be a personal computer, a PDA, a
consumer electronic device, a network server or storage device, a
switch router, wireless router, or other network communication
device, or any other suitable device and can vary in size, shape,
performance, functionality, and price. The information handling
system can include memory, one or more processing resources such as
a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control
logic. Additional components of the information handling system can
include one or more storage devices, one or more communications
ports for communicating with external devices as well as various
input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a
video display. The information handling system can also include one
or more buses operable to transmit communications between the
various hardware components.
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless power
system 100 for an information handling system 102 in accordance
with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless power
system 102 includes a wireless charger base station 104 having a
wireless power node 116 and a mechanical switch activator 114. The
information handling system 102 includes a wireless power node 106,
a wired power connector 108, a mechanical switch 112, and a battery
pack 110.
[0012] In operation, the wireless charger base station 104 is
operable to provide power wirelessly to the information handling
system 102. As used herein, a wireless power source transfers power
in any way such that power is transferred without interconnecting
wires or cables. It will be appreciated that a wireless power
source can employ wires or other solid conductors to itself draw
power. For example, the wireless charger base station 104 can draw
power from an alternating current (AC) power source, such as a wall
outlet, via an AC power adapter (not shown). The wireless charger
base station 104 can convert a portion of the power drawn from the
AC power source to wireless power provided via the wireless power
node 106. The wireless charger base station 104 can use one or more
techniques to provide power wirelessly, including inductive
techniques, resonant inductive techniques, capacitive transfer
techniques, beamed power transfer, such as laser or microwave
transfer, or the like. For purposes of discussion, it is assumed
that the wireless base station charger 104 transfers power
wirelessly using inductive power transfer. The power is provided
via wireless power node 116
[0013] The wireless power node 106 of the information handling
system 102 is configured to receive power via wireless power
transfer from the wireless power node 116. In an embodiment, in
order for power transfer between the nodes 106 and 116 to occur,
the information handling system 102 must be placed such that the
nodes are in sufficient proximity. For example, in an embodiment
node 106 and node 116 each represent the winding of an inductor,
such that power can be transferred between the nodes when the
respective windings are placed in sufficient proximity. In the
illustrated embodiment, it is assumed that wireless power transfer
can be effectuated when the information handling system 102 is
placed on the wireless base station charger 104 such that the
mechanical switch actuator 114 triggers the mechanical switch 112.
In response, the information handling system 102 determines that
power is available wirelessly via the wireless power node 106.
[0014] The information handling system 102 is operable to determine
which power sources are available to provide power, and select the
power source that will most efficiently provide power to one or
more system modules. For example, the information handling system
102 can determine, based on the state of the mechanical switch 112,
whether power is available via wireless power node 106. Further,
the information handling system 112 can determine whether the wired
power connector 108 is connected to a wired power source, such as a
wall outlet, via an AC adapter or other wired connector. In
response to determining that power is available via either source,
the information handling system 102 can select the source that will
more efficiently provide power to one or more modules of the
system. The information handling system 102 can couple the selected
power source to the one or more modules and decouple the other
power source so that it does not provide power to the modules. For
example, wired power can typically be provided more efficiently
than wireless power. Accordingly, in response to determining that
power is available via both the wired power connector 108 and the
wireless power node 106, the information handling system 108 can
couple the wired power connector to one or more system modules so
that power is provided to the modules by the wired power source. In
another embodiment, if wireless power can be provided more
efficiently that wired power, the information handling system 102
can couple the wireless power node 106 to the system modules for
provision of power.
[0015] Further, the information handling system 102 can determine
when a power source is no longer available, and in response couple
an alternate power source to the system modules. For example, as
explained above the information handling system 102 can select the
wired power connector 108 to provide power to the system modules
based on the wired power source's likelihood of providing power
more efficiently. In response to determining the wired power source
has been removed (for example, the AC adapter has been unplugged),
the information handling system 102 can couple the wireless power
node 106 to the system modules, so that power is provided
wirelessly.
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a particular
embodiment of the information handling system 102 of FIG. 1. In the
illustrated embodiment, the information handling system 102
includes a wireless power module 210, the wireless power node 106,
the mechanical switch 112, the wired power connector 108, a power
switch 218, a power supply module 216, a battery charger module 220
including a battery 232, an embedded controller 214, and
information handling system electronics 214. The wireless power
module 210 includes a power switch 234, a wireless charger power
converter 238, and an embedded controller 236.
[0017] The information handling system electronics included the
processor devices, memory devices, input/output devices, and other
modules that perform the tasks of the information handling system
102 during normal operation. The embedded controller 212 is a
processor device operable to determine which power sources are
available to power the information handling system electronics 214,
and control the power switches 218 and 234 to couple the available
power source that is likely to be more efficient in providing
power.
[0018] To illustrate, the embedded controller 212 is operable to
determine whether power is available at the wireless power node 106
based on a state of the mechanical switch 224. In another
embodiment, the embedded controller 212 can determine whether power
is available by sensing a voltage or current provided via the
wireless power module 210. In addition, the embedded controller 212
can determine whether wired power is available by determining if a
voltage or current is being provided at wired power connector 108.
In response to determining that power is available from a wireless
power source via the wireless power node 106 and is also available
from a wired power source via the wireless power connector 108, the
embedded controller 212 can select the power source that is
predicted or likely to supply power more efficiently to the
information handling system electronics 214. In one embodiment, the
embedded controller 212 selects the power source based on a
predetermined hierarchy of power sources. For example a
non-volatile memory (not shown) can store a list of potential power
sources, and indicate, via the list order or other information,
which of the potential power sources are predicted to be more
efficient. In other embodiment, the embedded controller 212 can
sense a voltage or current supplied by each power source and
determine the likely efficiency of each source.
[0019] In response to selecting one of the power sources, the
embedded controller controls the power switch 218 and the power
switch 234 to couple the selected power source to the information
handling system electronics. For example, in response to selecting
the wired power source, the embedded controller 212 sends a signal
to the power switch 218 to couple the wired power connector 108 to
the power supply module 216. In addition, the embedded controller
212 sends a request to the embedded controller 236 requesting that
the wireless charger power converter 238 be decoupled from the
power supply module 216. The embedded controller 236 is a processor
device operable to respond to requests from embedded controller 212
to control operation of the power switch 234. Accordingly, in
response to the request from embedded controller 212, embedded
controller 236 controls power switch 234 so that the wireless
charger power converter 238 is decoupled from power supply module
216. Thus, power is supplied to power supply module 216 from the
wired power source via wired power connector 108.
[0020] The power supply module 216 is a module operable to
condition received power for supply to the information handling
system electronics 214. For example, the power supply module 216
can regulate the voltage, current, or other characteristic of
supplied power, or any combination thereof. In addition, the power
supply module can regulate any spikes or other signal perturbations
resulting from a change in the power source. To illustrate, the
embedded controller 212 can determine if the wired power source has
been removed, such as by disconnection of a power cable. In
response, the embedded controller 212 can control the power
switches 218 and 234 to decouple the wired power connector 108 from
the power supply module 216 and couple the wireless charger power
converter 238 to the power supply module. The wireless charger
power converter converts power provided by the wireless power node
106 to wired power sufficient for transmission to the power supply
module 216. Thus, in response to determining the wired power source
has been removed, the embedded controller can change the source of
supplied power to a wireless power source. The power supply module
216 regulates the change in power source such that the change does
not result in harmful power spikes or other signal
perturbations.
[0021] In addition, the power supply module 216 can supply power to
the batter charger module 220 from either power source selected by
the embedded controller 212. In response, the battery charger
module charges the battery 232. Thus, the battery 232 can be
charged by either the wired power source or the wireless power
source.
[0022] Moreover, in one embodiment, the battery charger module 220
can provide power from the battery 232 to the power supply module
216 to power the information handling system electronics 214. For
example, if the embedded controller 212 determines that power is
not available from either the wired power source or the wireless
power source, the embedded controller 212 can instruct the battery
charger module 220 to provide power from the battery 232 to that
power supply module 216, which in turn supplies power to the
information handling system electronics 214.
[0023] In some embodiments, the battery 232 can supply power more
efficiently that the wireless power source, so long as the battery
232 has a sufficient charge. Accordingly, the embedded controller
212 can determine when only the wireless power source and battery
are available to supply power. In response, the embedded controller
212 monitors the relative state of charge (RSOC) of the battery 232
and, as long as the RSOC remains above a charging threshold,
controls the power switch 234 so that power is not supplied from
the wireless power source. In response to determining that the RSOC
of battery 232 is below the charging threshold, the embedded
controller 212 instructs the battery charger module to stop
providing power to power supply module 216. In addition, the
embedded controller 212 controls the power switch 234 so that the
wireless power source, provided by wireless power node 106, is
coupled to the power supply module 216. Power is therefore supplied
to the information handling system electronics 214 by the wireless
power source when the RSOC of battery 232 is below the charging
threshold. Further, the power supply module 216 can employ a
portion of the power supplied wirelessly to charge the battery 232.
Once the RSOC of battery 232 is at or above a charging threshold,
the embedded controller 212 can control information handling system
102 so that power is again supplied by the battery 232, rather than
by the wireless power source.
[0024] This can be better understood with reference to an example.
Assume that the charging threshold of battery 232 is 20 percent
charge, while the supply threshold is 80 percent charge. The
embedded controller 212 will ensure that the battery 232 will
supply power to the information handling system electronics 214
until the RSOC of the battery 232 falls below 20 percent. Once the
RSOC falls below this threshold, embedded controller 212 ensures
that power is provided to the information handling system
electronics 214 via the wireless power source. The embedded
controller 212 also ensures that the battery 232 is charged via the
wireless power source. Once the RSOC of the batter 232 rises above
80 percent charge, the embedded controller 212 decouples the
wireless power source from the information handling system
electronics 214 and ensures that power is again supplied by the
battery 232.
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of selecting a
power source for an information handling system in accordance with
one embodiment of the present disclosure. At block 302, an embedded
controller of the information handling system determines sources of
power available to the system. A power source is available if it is
able to supply power to the system. For example a wired power
connector that is not connected to a wired power source, such as an
AC outlet, is not an available power source because it is not able
to supply power. In the example of FIG. 3, it is assumed that a
wired power source and a wireless power source are both available
power sources.
[0026] At block 304, the embedded controller selects the available
power source that is likely to most efficiently supply power to
modules of the information handling system. For example, in some
embodiments the wired power source is likely to be more efficient
in supplying power than the wireless power source. Accordingly, the
embedded controller will select the wired power source. In other
embodiments, the wireless power source may be more efficient, and
may be selected by the embedded controller over the wired power
source.
[0027] At block 306, the embedded controller couples the selected
power source to the modules of the information handling system,
such as processor devices, memory devices, input/output devices,
and the like. In addition, the embedded controller decouples the
power sources that were not selected from the system modules. At
block 308, the embedded controller determines whether the selected
power source has been removed, such that it is no longer available
as a power source. If so, the method flow returns to block 302 so
that the embedded controller can select an alternate power source.
For example, if the wired power source was selected, and it is
removed as a power source, the embedded controller can select the
wireless power source to supply power. It will be appreciated that
a battery of the information handling system can temporarily supply
power to the system while the embedded controller switches the
power source to the wireless power source.
[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of selecting a
power source for an information handling system in accordance with
another embodiment of the present disclosure. At block 402, an
embedded controller of the information handling system determines
that a wireless power source and a battery are the sources of power
available to the system. In response, at block 404, the embedded
controller determines whether a charge level of the battery is
above a designated threshold whereby the battery is available to
supply power. For purposes of discussion, this threshold is
referred to as a supply threshold. In response to determining the
battery charge is not above the supply threshold, the method flow
proceeds to block 406 and the embedded controller ensures that
power is supplied to information handling system modules from the
wireless power source. In addition, the wireless power source is
employed to charge that battery until the battery charge is above
the supply threshold.
[0029] If, at block 404, the battery charge is above the supply
threshold, the method flow moves to block 408 and the embedded
controller ensures that power is supplied from the system modules
by the battery. The method flow proceeds to block 410, and the
embedded controller determines if the battery charge is below
another designated threshold, referred to as a charging threshold.
If not, the method flow returns to block 408 and the battery
continues to supply power until its charge is below the charging
threshold. Once the battery charge is below the charging threshold,
the method flow moves from block 410 to block 406, and the embedded
controller ensures that power is supplied and the battery is
charged from the wireless power source.
[0030] Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been
described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily
appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary
embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings
and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure.
Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included
within the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure as
defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function
clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as
performing the recited function and not only structural
equivalents, but also equivalent structures.
* * * * *